Photo Friday

At the start of the year, I decided to take on the challenge of documenting my daily moods with yarn.  Every day I add to a blanket with the color of my choosing that reflects my mood.

I chose to work my blanket in these colors/moods:

Red = angry/frustrated
Blue = happy/content
Green = tired
Black = stressed/worried
Gray = sad/lonely
Variegated = confused

Every odd day (1st, 3rd, 5th, etc) I would add 4 rows to my blanket while every even day (2nd, 4th, 6th, etc) I'd add 2 rows.

Now that January is over, I am happy to share my progress.  Here is the start of my "crochet" mood blanket for 2014.

I will try to blog separately about my blanket and the moods I had.  That may not happen terribly often but since I want to blog more, maybe I'll finally kick my own tush and keep up!  (I know I've failed so far but I'm a WIP just like my blanket. Haha)

More to come throughout the year.....

2014 Bucket List

I've decided on no resolutions this year. I never stick with them (with 1 exception in 2005) so this year I'm trying something new.

When a friend posted a list of things she wanted to do before her next birthday, it inspired me to create my bucket list for the year. 

Over 2014, I will enrich my life by:

- reading the Bible and learning about religions.

- reading a minimum of 4 classic books.

- reading no less than 1 new book each month. (By "new" I mean one I've never read before.)

- exercising for at least 1 hour daily (not including work).

- reading the complete works of Shakespeare.

- working on family history.

- writing more letters.

- taking a family vacation.

- finishing no fewer than 1 WIP project each month.

- knitting a mood blanket.

- taking more photographs.

- hanging out with friends more.

- blogging often.

- getting my tattoos designed and inked.

It may seem simple but many of these things I tell myself I'm going to do then never do them. It's time to stop procrastinating on being a better me! I will share my progress through the year.... which will also help achieve my "blogging often" goal. ;)

HAPPY 2014!!

Randomness of Me

There's been a game of sorts floating around Facebook. You like the status of someone who has posted random facts about themselves and they give you a number. You then write that many random facts about yourself on your wall.

Normally I can't think of anything. I'm pretty much an open book so it takes a while to think of things people may not know about me. I've gone a little crazy with them so I figured I'd compile them on my blog instead of annoying all my friends.

If you're a friend on Facebook, you can just skip to #56. =)

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1. I hate talking about myself. But I can talk about my kids all day.

2. I registered to vote at 18 but have never actually voted. However, after the atrocities that have happened during this current administration, I will be voting from now on.

3. I'm thankful my "major" health problems are only joint related and exercise induced asthma. Watching Tornado and Monster deal with their medical issues has made me very aware that I have it good.

4. The only thing I miss about being a SAHM is the many hours of reading, playing WoW, and watching tv I got to do.

5. I envy women with pin straight hair who don't *have* to flat iron it.

6. I usually only bake 1 time a year - at Christmas. I make so many candies/cookies that I can't stand the thought of doing it again for another year. LOL

7. I am a terrible housewife. That's why it baffles me that Indy would ever wanna put a ring on it! LOL ;)

8. I despise dresses. I was meant to wear tank tops and jeans!

9. I am obsessed with jewelry but don't wear much very often as it starts to annoy me quickly.

10. I'm apparently allergic to earrings made of any metal. My ears start itching within an hour. But I usually tough it out to be a tad girly.

11. I do not like wearing flip flops but they are easy to slide on when I head out the door so I just let my chiropractor yell at me.

12. I have suffered from migraines since I got pregnant with Monster. They never left so I don't think I can blame them on the ex-douchebag anymore.

13. I've known Indy my whole life and thought he was my cousin until I was 10. That was when Mom explained that we called his parents aunt & uncle out of respect. I've had a crush on him ever since.

14. I'm terrified of driving. I manage to do it but I've lost many people to car accidents and it's one of my worst fears to die in a crash.

15. I miss playing tennis even though I suck at it.

16. I have grown a lot as a person since I was little. I used to be painfully shy and sometimes I still am. But I force myself out of my comfort zone more than I ever have.

17. I am partially deaf but not enough to require hearing aids.

18. I've been typing since I was 10 when I taught myself with Mavis Beacon.

19. Math is the only subject I've always loved. Algebra is my favorite subject ever!

20. I've only flown once in my life (2 actual flights - 1 to CA & the return back to WA). And I hate it! I nearly hyperventilated on the return flight because I got separated from my teacher.

21. I've never purchased a car with my own money. They've always been bought by someone else. Even Alice was bought with a scholarship I was awarded. 

22. I'm obsessed with hats. I make myself a new one every few months.

23. I have a teddy bear my chiropractor gave me when I was 4 or 5. She's falling apart but I still have my Tammy!

24. I'm obsessed with Harry Potter. I collect replica props and have my own cloak. Now I just need my wand (*hint*hint* Indy)!

25. I'm terrified of motorcycles but still wanna ride one. Maybe. Some day.

26. I've always hated my handwriting.

27. After 30 years, I finally own my perfect pair of boots. Thanks sweetheart!

28. I've suffered from severe insomnia thanks to Monster's health issues. And now my body seems to think 4-6 hours of sleep is plenty. Though I disagree.

29. I hate cooking. I've screwed up mac & cheese before.

30. I love reading about history but it always puts me to sleep.

31. My favorite Star Wars movie is Return of the Jedi.

32. I blew up one of my cars in high school when a piston head broke off and shot a hole through the engine block.

33. I prefer Chris Pine's Captain Kirk over William Shatner's. 

34. My favorite animals are frogs, monkeys, and cats.

35. My favorite superhero will always be She-Ra.

36. I love Jar Jar Binks! So much so one of my nicknames is Jar Jar. 

37. I hate seafood. Except crab and clam chowder.

38. I've never had real crab. Just the fake stuff. And it's Jeannie's fault that I like it. lol

39. I've always gotten along better with guys. It may just be the tomboy in me.

40. I grew up on a farm. I do not remember what crops my dad grew.

41. I've only been stung by a bee once. And I was so terrified I would have a major allergic reaction (since both my parents are allergic.... Dad being deathly allergic) that I went to the ER and had them give me Benadryl. LOL

42. My first car was a 1988 Dodge Shadow. I begged Dad to buy it because it was a stick shift and I knew no one would be able to take it from me and claim it for themselves. I miss that car!

43. No one knew how to put my Shadow into reverse but me. LOL

44. I love classic cars! My dream car is a blue 1969 Chevy SS Chevelle convertable. I rode in one about 10 years ago and have coveted it ever since.

45. Clearly I like talking about myself when I'm tired.

46. I'm allergic to make up. That's why I never wear any.

47. I'm severely allergic to benzoyl peroxide. 

48. I met my 2 very bestest friends in the whole unicorn online. I really miss talking to Lee! But at least I have Tracey!

ETA: I also met my other besties Ashley & Lori online when I was 14. They've been my sissies ever since! <3

49. Sometimes I want another kid. Then Tornado snaps me back to reality.

50. Potty training was harder than taking away the binkie. I never want to do either ever again!

51. I have an amazing group of medical needs friends. I may not need them for myself very often but knowing they are there when I do, makes it easier to deal with the rough patches.

52. I hate the smell of cucumber melon anything. Well actually I love it..... but every time I smell it I think of the ex-douchebag. He ruined it forever.

53. Ever since Jeannie & Dan were foster parents, I've wanted to be one. Maybe some day when Tornado is older!

54. I did my senior term paper on foster care. I had a hard lesson when Monster was in it because it was not even remotely like I thought it should be. I wish every foster family was like Jeannie & Dan!

55. It has taken a LOT of hard work on my part to allow someone to help me care for Monster. I am thankful every day for it though because it has allowed me to find myself again outside of all the medical stuff.

56. My absolute favorite movie ever is Titanic.

57. I was so obsessed with Titanic in 8th grade that I would read any book about it that I could get my hands on. 

58. I will argue with people about Titanic facts.

59. My favorite book to date is The Chamber by John Grisham. I started it when I was pregnant with Monster but had to put it down while going through all the abuse stuff. It just hit a little too close to home. I did finally finish it several years later (obviously).

60. I have yet to dislike anything Mitch Albom has written. Fabulous author! You can't go wrong with any of his books!

61. I still suck at Mario Bros.

62. The first time I read Wicked by Gregory Maguire, I had to keep my laptop on my lap open to dictionary.com to find out what he was saying. 

63. My vocabulary sucks!

64. English was my worst subject ever. Well besides Spanish.

65. I BSed my way though just about every paper in my senior English class.

66. I read for the pleasure of enjoying a break from reality. Do not ask me to assess the story and tell you the meaning behind it. 

67. It took YEARS to get me interested in reading. What finally grabbed me was The Boxcar Children series.

68. I still own my TBC set. Have some holes I need to fill in though.

69. My life will not be complete until I've visited Southampton, England and Belfast, Ireland.

70. I've always wanted to take a cross country road trip on I-90 from Seattle to Boston.

71. I have a little notebook I keep my Bucket List written in. Mostly because I have a horrible memory. Thanks kids!

72. I have a major passion for photography. But I don't have the time to do it like I want to.

73. I briefly owned a photography company named Snap Blossoms Photography.

74. I wish I could draw and/or paint.

75. I hate putting puzzles together. I really suck at them (unless they are a 25 piece kiddie puzzle).

76. I used to know all 50 states and their capitals. I might be able to tell you what they are but it'd take a very long time to pull that knowledge from the recesses of my brain.

77. I love Smallville but hate Superman. (Thanks to the ex-douchebag!)

78. I've only ever kept 1 New Year's resolution. It lifted a huge weight off my shoulders and made mine and Monster's lives so much happier!

79. It really is easier to stay up until 6 am than to get up at 6 am. I am so very NOT a morning person!

80. I always wanted a little brother.

81. I hate being the youngest.

82. I always wanted to be a gymnast and figure skater.

83. I most definitely can't ice skate.

84. I don't understand hockey but love going to watch the Wenatchee Wild kick ass.

85. I hate football. I could never understand it.

86. I really admire the racers who do NASCAR but I simply can't call it a sport.

87. I hate golf especially because my drive is so awesome, I always lose my ball on the first hole. LOL

88. I hate cleaning. If you see me doing it, I'm pissed so proceed with caution.

89. If I'm blaring Eminem and lying on the floor, I'm seriously depressed.

90. You can usually tell I'm zoning out if I'm twirling my hair. LOL

91. I've always wanted super long hair but it gives me headaches if I let it get past my shoulders.

92. I don't mind doing the laundry. I just hate putting it away.

93. CSI is probably my favorite tv show ever.

94. I can crack a bull whip. It is much harder than you think it is!

95. I'm scared of walking over bridges. Thanks to my mother and aunt! 

96. I'm sometimes still scared of the dark. Usually only in unfamiliar places. Or if there's a large lightning storm happening.

97. I hate camping but love nature.

98. I always get sick when I go camping because of the smoke from the fire.

99. I once wanted to move to LA. But I don't think I could ever leave Wenatchee. Plus CA has too many natural disasters. I know WA has had earthquakes but I've never felt one.

100. I'm absolutely terrified of lightning. I get panic attacks just looking at gorgeous photos of lightning.

101. I cannot sit with my feet on the floor. Ever.